Tiltable rack or display device

ABSTRACT

The invention has reference to tiltable and adjustable racks, carriers and like display devices equipped with shelves or trays for carrying articles, e.g., samples of fabrics, tiles, and other products. These display trays are connectable with a movable frame, which swings about pivot means from a neutral or median position to predetermined angular positions, in which the trays assume from a superposed and coinciding location to each other a parallel position in which the trays are transposed to a staggered formation or step-like positions, in which the articles retained on their successive trays, are exposed to view with their front and/or rear portions, as desired. The trays of the display device may be adjusted and fixed in any desired parallel position to each other whereby any further parallel movement of the trays may be impeded. The arrangement of the frame of the device and its parts may also be carried out, so that the framework is subdivided and guidance of the trays occurs in a manner that, e.g., one or more selected upper trays are displaced to an extreme forward and parallel position, while one or more of selected lower trays are guided to likewise take up an extreme forward parallel position, whereas the remaining trays assume other non-coextensive or non-equidistant but parallel positions.

Unite States Patent Colin [451 June 6,1972

[54] TILTABLE RACK OR DISPLAY DEVICE Jerry Cohn, 1546 Broadway, NewYork, NY, 10036 [22] Filed: July 23, 1970 [21] Appl.No.: 57,647

[72] Inventor:

3,295,696 1/1967 Cohen 211/171 2,491,374 12/1949 Gold... ...i.l90/l71,823,396 9/1931 Goulet 211/128 1,961,394 6/1934 Rothe. 211/1302,160,102 5/1939 Hulk... ...21 1/128 X 2,454,575 11/1948 Silene..211/130 X Primary Examiner-Nile C. Byers, .lr. Attorney-Leon M.Strauss [5 7] ABSTRACT The invention has reference to tiltable andadjustable racks, carriers and like display devices equipped withshelves or trays for carrying articles, e.g., samples of fabrics, tiles,and other products. These display trays are connectable with a movableframe, which swings about pivot means from a neutral or median positionto predetermined angular positions, in which the trays assume from asuperposed and coinciding location to each other a parallel position inwhich the trays are transposed to a staggered formation or step-likepositions, in which the articles retained on their successive trays, areexposed to view with their front and/or rear portions, as desired.

The trays of the display device may be adjusted and fixed in any desiredparallel position to each other whereby any further parallel movement ofthe trays may be impeded. The arrangement of the frame of the device andits parts may also be carried out, so that the framework is subdividedand guidance of the trays occurs in a manner that, e.g., one or moreselected upper trays are displaced to an extreme forward and parallelposition, while one or more of selected lower trays are guided tolikewise take up an extreme forward parallel position, whereas theremaining trays assume other noncoextensive or nonequidistant butparallel positions.

12 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PATENTEBJUH 6 m2 3, 667. 617 SHEET 3 OF 3INVENTOR J LRRY COHN SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention concerns arack, display and like device of the tiltable type, which may be easilymoved from place to place, e.g., on a store floor and likeestablishment, and serves primarily the purpose of exposing to viewsamples of fabrics, carpets and similar articles in a novel manner forinspection, quality examination, comparison and like purposes.

It is one of the aims of the present invention to provide meanscontributing to a very compact, sturdy and versatile display device,whose trays may be readily loaded and unloaded in regard to fabric orcarpet samples and like articles, and their placement being had at anydesired operative positions.

It is another object of the invention to provide means facilitating avery convenient assembly and disassembly of the display device with itstrays and other essential parts and also easy storage of the device whennot in use, without taking up inordinately too much space or operationalarea in a showroom and like location.

It is a further object of the invention to provide means resulting in aquick-acting display and like device, which can be manipulated by handto impart to the sample tray or trays a specific inclined position ormay be operated continuously by any known drive means to change the traypositions from time to time thereby to create an eye appeal orattraction for prospective customers and interested parties.

Yet another object of the invention resides in the provision of meansconducive to a safe and highly efiicient display and like articlecarrying device which can be demonstrated by unskilled persons, may beserviced without any difficulties, is inexpensive to manufacture andvery suitably constructed for mass production, as the device requiresonly a few operative parts.

A still further object of the invention is to provide means contributingto a highly versatile display equipment, which may be subdivided, sothat some of the display carriers or trays of such equipment may beactivated in two different directions, say, forwardly and rearwardly, inorder to coordinate predetermined displayed articles relative to otherexhibited items and the like.

Another object of the invention is the provision of means leading toautomatically alternating operational stages in the display of articles,so that their sales will be greatly intensified and improved.

Accordingly, the invention consists in the features of novelconstruction, combination of elements or parts, all as illustrativelyset forth in the ensuing description and drawings, the scope of theinvention being indicated by the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tiltable display device pursuant tothe invention.

FIG. 2 is an end view of the display device of FIG. 1, as seen againstthe right hand panel with the undercarriage and with tray equippedstandards of the device indicated in different operational positions.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one of the trays employable in theinvention.

FIG. 4 is a partial view of a section through a portion of one of thestandards with an extension part of a tray journaled in an opening ofsaid one standard.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 55 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 indicates a perspective view of a slightly changed tiltabledisplay device according to the invention.

FIG. 7 shows somewhat diagrammatically and in perspective the connectionof a tray or shelf to a pair of swingable standards and to guide meanstherebetween.

FIG. 8 is a view taken in the direction of and along section line 88 ofFIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a view taken in the direction of and along section line 99 ofFIG. 6.

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary section drawn to an enlarged scale taken alongline 10-10 of FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring more specifically to the attacheddrawings there has been disclosed a tiltable display device 10 whichprincipally consists of a bottom frame or understructure 10a equippedwith upright side panels or supports 11, 12. This understructure maypreferably have rollers 10b.

On these panels are swingably attached at first pivot means 14, 15 pairsof forward standards l6, l7 and pairs of rearward standards 18, 19 whichare interconnected by respective crosspieces 20, 21 so that the forwardstandards are movable about their pivots 14 and the rearward standardsare pivotable about their pivots 15 in unison via trays 30 as will belater explained.

The confronting inner faces of the mentioned standards 16 to 19 are eachprovided with rows of suitable perforations or slots 25, 26 into whichbent or hook-shaped ends 28 of spaced apart reinforcing transversecrossbars 29 of trays 30 are engaged and form respective interengageablemeans or second pivot means horizontally interconnecting said trays withsaid forward and rearward standards.

Each tray 30 has besides crossbars 29 substantially rectangular-shapedforward and rearward frame members 33, 34 which extend beyond thesecrossbars as depicted in FIG. 3. These frame members terminate intransverse end portions 35 having offset parts 35:: as shown. Theseframe members 33, 34 are located in spaced apart relation on theaforesaid crossbars to which they are welded or in any other knownmanner connected.

From the foregoing it may be easily realized that the trays 30preferably made of wire material are so shaped and dimensioned that onone hand the hook-shaped ends 28 of said crossbars of the trays are sojournalled in preshaped perforations 25, 26 of the standards thatdespite the forward and rearward swinging movements of the latter thesetrays 30, on the other hand, will always remain in substantiallyhorizontal positions and will be only displaced in staggered relation toeach other to obtain an overlapor step-shaped formation with respect toeach other (FIG. 2).

FIG. 2 indicates that the trays 30 from the dot-dash or median positionA of standards 17, 19 may readily follow the latter to a position B(shown in full lines) or to an angular position C without being tilted,only a staggered relationship of said trays to each other resultingtherefrom or being created in such fashion, that the lower trays will befarther advanced or displaced to a greater distance than upper traysrelative to the trays when arranged in superposed coinciding conditionor placement (location A of standards).

The extreme swinging movements of the pairs of standards 16, 17 and 18,19 about their respective pivots located about midway of the length ofsaid standards are limited by a stop pin 40, which may be adjusted orvaried in its effective position along a central slat or bar 36, thelatter carrying a row of holes 37 which may be threaded for theengagement with stop pin 40. The length of the standards is such thattheir lower ends 38 clear the traverse 39 of the understructure duringswinging movements of the aforesaid standards.

Sample pieces 41 of carpets of various colors when placed on the trayscan thus be readily observed, compared with each other and interchangedat will at the front or rear part of the tiltable rack 10, as desired.

In order to maintain a predetermined angular or other posi tion of thestandards, one of the pivots, say 14, may be provided with a screw clamp42 known per se. Such clamp 42 may be operated to tighten one of thepivots in order to adjust or set the formation of the trays with respectto each other.

The new tiltable rack can, of course, be employed in a twosided fashion(from the front and/or back) and can be also moved by any known powerdrive means to change the tray positions from time to time forattracting customers.

It is well understood that the tray structure or like product holdingmeans may be differently executed.

FIG. 6 illustrates a tray displaceable rack and like equipment with asubdivided upper and lower standard arrangement,

This latter arrangement affords automatic and alternating operationalsteps or stages for article displays.

Referring specifically to FIGS. 6 and 7 there is illustrated a displayrack 50 having side panels 51, S2 and a support structure 53 withcrossbars 54, 55 interconnecting said panels. To the confronting innerfaces 56, 57 of said side panels 51, 52 there are swingably fastened atpivots 58, 59 a pair of upper forward standards 60, 61 and a pair ofupper rearward standards 62, 63. These respective standard parts areinterconnected correspondingly by handle forming crossbeams 64, 65. Thepair of forward standards 60, 61 are thus movable together andfurthermore the pair of rearward standards 62, 63, as is quite apparentfrom FIG. 6.

To the aforesaid inner faces of the side panels 51, 52 are furtherpivotally attached at 58a, 59a, respectively, a pair of lower forwardstandards or levers 66, 67 and a pair of lower rearward standards orlevers 68, 69.

Between these pairs of upper and lower standards there is swingablydisposed at 7011 on side panel 52 a two-armed lever or guide means 70having guide slots 71, 72 for a purpose later described. Theaforementioned standards are provided at their confronting surfaces withrespective upper and lower openings or perforations 73, 74 for securingor connecting therewith a number of trays 80 to upper and lower pairs ofstandards as indicated in FIG. 6.

These trays 80 (outlined only in dotted or phantom lines in FIG. 6) mayhave a suitable surface shape or configuration for the display of anytype of articles or merchandise, such as canned foodstuff, dishes, cupsand the like or may carry lengthy pieces ofcarpet samples, tiles, etc.

FIG. 7 shows in perspective a tray having a base frame 75 with supportor follower rods 76, 77 fixed to and below base frame 75. A guide rod 78is attached in any suitable manner near one end of tray 80, which may bemanufactured, e,g., from wire and like rod material. This guide rod 78extends with its projecting end 79 into respective guide slots 71, 72 ofswingable guide bar 70 in which said rod end is reciprocably movable inlengthwise direction of the guide slot as it is quite well understood(FIG. The upper frame 81 outlines the extent or size of each tray 80,which may enclose, of course, any upright, hoop-shaped or rectangularinserts 82 for a purpose for which they were designed.

Reverting to rods 76, 77, they terminate, e.g., in hookshaped ends 76a,77a which reach into the aforesaid suitably shaped openings 73, 74,respectively, of standard members 60 to 63 for movements with the latterwithout permitting the trays however to deviate during theirdisplacement from a movement in absolute parallelism to each other. Thiseffect is quite important, especially when the contents of the trays arevery delicate, are subject to easy damage and require careful handling.

FIG. 8 readily explains the operation of this tiltable display and likerack 50. When upper pairs of pivoted standard members 60, 61 and 62, 63are moved, say from the dotted line position of FIG. 8 to full lineposition by hand or power drive (known per se) the trays 80 coupled tothese standard members and slidably connected via swingable guide lever70 by means of rod 78, 79 to, say the second tray, will automaticallytransmit such translatory movement to the fourth tray, which is coupledto the lower pairs of standard members.

This is accomplished by the engagement of a corresponding extension rod78, 79 of the third tray slidably displaceable in slot 72 of swinginglever 70. Through this operative connection the lower pairs of standardmembers 66, 67 and 68, 69 are swung in the same direction as thementioned upper pairs of standard members.

FIG. 9 depicts the movement of the upper and lower pairs of standardmembers 61, 63 and 67, 69 in the opposite angular position (as opposedto the showing of FIG. 8). In this manner a parallel displacement of thefirst tray together with the third tray in the same direction has beencarried out while the second tray and fourth tray 80 are placed intocoextensive positions toward the left hand side by means of theaforesaid upper and lower pairs of standard members.

The lower ends 61a, 63a of upper forward and rearward standard members61, 63 in this particular instance, are shown to be connected to twostrong spiral springs 84, 85 which are anchored on pin 86 of side panel51. These springs tend to maintain all the standard members by virtue oftheir mode of motion transmission as herein explained, in a median orneutral position (FIG. 6), in which all trays take up a coincidingsuperposed position with each other.

It is well understood that the guide means or lever 70 can be replacedby any curvilinear or like guide means enabling the standard members totransmit various kinds of relative movements to the trays for displayand similar purposes. Thus sales of products may be greatly enhancedthrough an unusual and stimulating appearance of the same and accessiblein trays, shelves and like supports.

It can thus be seen that there has been created pursuant to theinvention a tiltable rack and like display device having anunderstructure comprising the combination of a row of superpositionedtrays each having forward and rearward ends, with pairs of forward andrearward standards spaced from each other and pivotally supported bysaid understructure, and interengageable means provided on said traysand on said standards forming connective links of said trays withrespect to said standards, so that during pivotal movement of said standards to end positions said forward ends and then said rear ward ends ofsaid trays assume stepwise formations, respectively.

The invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specificmechanism shown and described but departures may be made therefromwithin the scope of the accompanying claims without departing from theprinciples of this invention and without sacrificing its chiefadvantages.

What is claimed is:

1. A tiltable display device for exhibiting articles; comprising abottom frame having opposite lateral ends, two spaced upright supportsextending from said opposite lateral ends of said bottom frame,elongated standard means, forward and rearward standard means,respectively, said forward and said rearward standard means being spacedfrom each other and being pivotally connected about midway of theirlength to saId supports, respectively, for tiltable movement withrespect to said supports, and a plurality of superpositioned spacedapart trays, each tray being pivotally coupled with and located withinthe space between said forward and said rearward standard means tointerconnect both the standard means, so that tiltable movement of saidstandard means cause displacement of the trays in spaced,superpositioned and parallel horizontal relation to each other andrelative to said supports, tilting of said standard means to extremeinclined positions, respectively, causing said trays to assume astepwise formation extending partly forwardly and partly rearwardly tosaid upright supports for exhibiting said articles on said trays.

2. A tiltable rack for exhibiting articles and the like; comprising abottom frame including spaced upright end supports mounted on saidbottom frame, forward and rearward standard means, respectively spacedfrom each other and arranged for tiltable movement on said end supports,respective first pivot means connecting said standard means with saidsupports, a plurality of superpositioned, horizontally spaced apart andparallel trays, and respective second pivot means between said trays andsaid standard means pivotally interconnecting said standard means witheach other and with said trays, so that when said standard means aretilted about said first pivot means said trays remain in horizontalposition and follow the tiltable movements of said standard meansrelative to said supports during which movements the trays in extremeand inclined end positions of said standard means assume a horizontaland continuous stepwise formation extending from a location above saidfirst pivot means to a location below said first pivot means.

3. A tiltable rack according to claim 2, said supports being providedwith respective stop means for limiting the tiltable movements of saidstandards to said end positions, respective ly.

4. A tiltable rack according to claim 2, including locking meansconnected to and influencing tiltable movement of at least one of saidstandards thereby to bind all said standards to assume a predeterminedinclined position to each other when said trays are joined to saidstandards.

5. A tiltable rack according to claim 2, wherein said forward andrearward standards are subdivided in upper standards and lowerstandards, and respective means positioned between said upper and saidlower standards for moving said upper standards to one end position andsaid lower standards to an opposed end position.

6. A tiltable rack according to claim 2, wherein said upper standardsand said lower standards are, respectively, guided to their opposite endpositions, and guide means operatively connected to said standards,respectively, for positively moving the same in timed relation.

7. in a tiltable display rack and like device comprising the combinationof pairs of swingable elongated standard members, with connective linkmeans, a number of tray means each having an extension, respectiveextensions of said tray means forming parts of said connective linkmeans for releasably joining via said connective link means said traymeans in spaced, superposed and parallel relation to each other alongsaid pairs of standard members, and support means including pivot meansthereon swingably connecting said standard members about midway of thelatter with said support means, respectively, said link means enablingsaid tray means to always remain in horizontal, spaced apart superposedand parallel positions to each other while said tray means are displacedfrom a median position of said standard members to respective extremeinclined end positions of the latter during swinging movements of saidstandard members.

8. In a device according to claim 7, including elongated guide meansconnected for movement to said support means, said connective link meansincluding an extension element from at least one of said tray meansjoined for operative displacement to and along said guide means whilethe parallel positions of all said tray means to each other aremaintained.

9. A tiltable display device, rack and like article carrier comprisingan upper pair of spaced apart forward standards and an upper pair ofspaced apart rearward standards, first and second standards,respectively, a lower pair of spaced apart forward standards and a lowerpair of spaced apart rearward standards, third and fourth standards,respectively, opposed side panels pivotally supporting said first andsecond standards above said third and fourth standards, which arelikewise pivoted to said side panels, coupling guide means having twoends and a pivot between said two ends on one of said side panels, saidcoupling guide means being attached to said one side panel within thespace between said standards, at least two first superpositioned traysoperatively connected to said first and second standards, respectively,first extension means projecting from one of said first superimposedtrays and slidably engaging near one end of said pivoted guide means, atleast two second superpositioned trays operatively joined to said thirdand fourth standards, respectively, second extension means from one ofsaid second superpositioned trays and slidably engaging said pivotedguide means near the opposite end of said pivoted guide means, tothereby couple both said upper pairs of standards and both said lowerpairs of standards together, so that upon swinging movement of saidupper and lower standards together with said trays carried thereon apositive reciprocal movement via said pivoted guide means iscommunicated via said first and second extension means to the respectivetrays to displace the latter in parallel relation and in unison witheach other.

10. A tiltable display device according to claim 9, including respectivespring means connected to the other side panel and joined topredetermined standards pivoted on said other side panel to actuate andto impart to all standards a normal or median position, in which alltrays are in substantially coinciding superposed and parallel locationsto each other between both said side panels.

11. A display device according to claim 9, wherein a twoarmed leverfonns said coupling guide means, said lever including a central pivotpin anchored on said one side panel, and coil spring means anchored onsaid other side panel and connected to the respective adjacent ends ofsaid one of said forward standards and of said one of said rearwardstandards to normally urge all said standards into upright and medianpositions and relative to said coupling guide means.

12. A display device according to claim 9, in which the first and secondstandards are, respectively, interconnected by handle means formingcrossbeams facilitating operation of said pivotally supported first andsecond standards.

1. A tiltable display device for exhibiting articles; comprising abottom frame having opposite lateral ends, two spaced upright supportsextending from said opposite lateral ends of said bottom frame,elongated standard means, forward and rearward standard means,respectively, said forward and said rearward standard means being spacedfrom each other and being pivotally connected about midway of theirlength to saId supports, respectively, for tiltable movement withrespect to said supports, and a plurality of superpositioned spacedapart trays, each tray being pivotally coupled with and located withinthe space between said forward and said rearward standard means tointerconnect both the standard means, so that tiltable movement of saidstandard means cause displacement of the trays in spaced,superpositioned and parallel horizontal relation to each other andrelative to said supports, tilting of said standard means to extremeinclined positions, respectively, causing said trays to assume astepwise formation extending partly forwardly and partly rearwardly tosaid upright supports for exhibiting said articles on said trays.
 2. Atiltable rack for exhibiting articles and the like; comprising a bottomframe including spaced upright end supports mounted on said bottomframe, forward and rearward standard means, respectively spaced fromeach other and arranged for tiltable movement on said end supports,respective first pivot means connecting said standard means with saidsupports, a plurality of superpositioned, horizontally spaced apart andparallel trays, and respective second pivot means between said trays andsaid standard means pivotally interconnecting said standard means witheach other and with said trays, so that when said standard means aretilted about said first pivot means said trays remain in horizontalposition and follow the tiltable movements of said standard meansrelative to said supports during which movements the trays in extremeand inclined end positions of said standard means assume a horizontaland continuous stepwise formation extending from a location above saidfirst pivot means to a location below said first pivot means.
 3. Atiltable rack according to claim 2, said supports being provided withrespective stop means for limiting the tiltable movements of saidstandards to said end positions, respectively.
 4. A tiltable rackaccording to claim 2, including locking means connected to andinfluencing tiltable movement of at least one of said standards therebyto bind all said standards to assume a predetermined inclined positionto each other when said trays are joined to said standards.
 5. Atiltable rack according to claim 2, wherein said forward and rearwardstandards are subdivided in upper standards and lower standards, andrespective means positioned between said upper and said lower standardsfor moving said upper standards to one end position and said lowerstandards to an opposed end position.
 6. A tiltable rack according toclaim 2, wherein said upper standards and said lower standards are,respectively, guided to their opposite end positions, and guide meansoperatively connected to said standards, respectively, for positivelymoving the same in timed relation.
 7. In a tiltable display rack andlike device comprising the combination of pairs of swingable elongatedstandard members, with connective link means, a number of tray meanseach having an extension, respective extensions of said tray meansforming parts of said connective link means for releasably joining viasaid connective link means said tray means in spaced, superposed andparallel relation to each other along said pairs of standard members,and support means including pivot means thereon swingably connectingsaid standard members about midway of the latter with said supportmeans, respectively, said link means enabling said tray means to alwaysremain in horizontal, spaced apaRt superposed and parallel positions toeach other while said tray means are displaced from a median position ofsaid standard members to respective extreme inclined end positions ofthe latter during swinging movements of said standard members.
 8. In adevice according to claim 7, including elongated guide means connectedfor movement to said support means, said connective link means includingan extension element from at least one of said tray means joined foroperative displacement to and along said guide means while the parallelpositions of all said tray means to each other are maintained.
 9. Atiltable display device, rack and like article carrier comprising anupper pair of spaced apart forward standards and an upper pair of spacedapart rearward standards, first and second standards, respectively, alower pair of spaced apart forward standards and a lower pair of spacedapart rearward standards, third and fourth standards, respectively,opposed side panels pivotally supporting said first and second standardsabove said third and fourth standards, which are likewise pivoted tosaid side panels, coupling guide means having two ends and a pivotbetween said two ends on one of said side panels, said coupling guidemeans being attached to said one side panel within the space betweensaid standards, at least two first superpositioned trays operativelyconnected to said first and second standards, respectively, firstextension means projecting from one of said first superimposed trays andslidably engaging near one end of said pivoted guide means, at least twosecond superpositioned trays operatively joined to said third and fourthstandards, respectively, second extension means from one of said secondsuperpositioned trays and slidably engaging said pivoted guide meansnear the opposite end of said pivoted guide means, to thereby coupleboth said upper pairs of standards and both said lower pairs ofstandards together, so that upon swinging movement of said upper andlower standards together with said trays carried thereon a positivereciprocal movement via said pivoted guide means is communicated viasaid first and second extension means to the respective trays todisplace the latter in parallel relation and in unison with each other.10. A tiltable display device according to claim 9, including respectivespring means connected to the other side panel and joined topredetermined standards pivoted on said other side panel to actuate andto impart to all standards a normal or median position, in which alltrays are in substantially coinciding superposed and parallel locationsto each other between both said side panels.
 11. A display deviceaccording to claim 9, wherein a two-armed lever forms said couplingguide means, said lever including a central pivot pin anchored on saidone side panel, and coil spring means anchored on said other side paneland connected to the respective adjacent ends of said one of saidforward standards and of said one of said rearward standards to normallyurge all said standards into upright and median positions and relativeto said coupling guide means.
 12. A display device according to claim 9,in which the first and second standards are, respectively,interconnected by handle means forming crossbeams facilitating operationof said pivotally supported first and second standards.